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OA: Veteran ska band ‘The Toasters’ to be here

It’s a bit ironic that the purpose of the Ska is Dead IV Tour is to prove that not only is ska NOT dead, but that it’s back from the grave guns blazing.

The 2009 western tour stops in Grand Junction on Monday, Jan. 26, at Mesa Theater and Club with The Toasters, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Deal’s Gone Bad and Monkey.

In brief, traditional ska is a music genre that originated in Jamaica and is a forefather of rocksteady and reggae.

The Ska is Dead tours feature some of the biggest names in the genre, such as The Toasters, America’s longest-running ska band, formed in 1981 in Manhattan.

The Toasters have played roughly 4,000 live concerts around the world. Because of its instantly recognizable sound, The Toasters were dubbed “the Miles Davis of Ska” by the California press, according to a news release from the tour promoter.

The Voodoo Glow Skulls, from Southern California, sing in both English and Spanish and have released seven albums since forming in 1988. Its sound meshes traditional ska with hardcore punk while incorporating the band members’ Mexican roots.

Deal’s Gone Bad’s sound is unique in that it appeals to fans of both soul and Jamaican music, citing influences from both Desmond Dekker and The Temptations, according to the news release.

Lastly, Monkey, a ska/reggae group from the San Francisco Bay area, mixes things up with an organ. Monkey songs have appeared in video games and film soundtracks as well as the band’s three full-length CDs.